Education in Sri Lanka has a long history that dates back two millennia. While the Constitution of Sri Lanka does not provide free education as a fundamental right, the constitution mentions that 'the complete eradication of illiteracy and the assurance to all persons of the right to universal and equal access to education at all levels" in its section on directive principles of state policy at (27(2)(H). Sri Lanka's population had an adult literacy rate of 96.3% in 2015, which is above average by world and regional standards. Computer literacy in 2017
28.3% and phone users in 2017 105%, website users 32% in 2017.[note 1] Education plays a major part in the life and culture of the country, which dates back to 543 BC. Sri Lanka's modern educational system modeled after Christian missionary system was brought about by its integration into the British Empire in the 19th century. Education currently falls under the control of both the Central Government and the Provincial Councils, with some responsibilities lying with the Central Government and the Provincial Council having autonomy for others.
The Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI)[3] finds that Sri Lanka is fulfilling 95.5% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to education based on the country's level of income.[4] HRMI breaks down the right to education by looking at the rights to both primary education and secondary education. While taking into consideration Sri Lanka's income level, the nation is achieving 97.7% of what should be possible based on its resources (income) for primary education and 93.3% for secondary education.[5]
Administration of the system
Primary school to higher education are primarily funded and overseen by three governmental ministries.[6]
Ministry of Education: for schools, pirivenas (schools for Buddhist priests), teachers training colleges and colleges of education
Ministry of Education Services: for supplying the physical facilities required for general education
Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training: for vocational education and technical colleges
Exceptions to this system exist — mostly when it comes to tertiary with several public universities and institutes coming under the purview of different ministries. These divisions have led to a high degree of mismanagement and inefficiency over the years.
The National Institute of Education (NIE), Sri Lanka, based in Maharagama, was established in 1986 under the provisions of the National Institute of Education Act No. 28 of 1985. The aim of the institute is to "provide leadership for the development of general education with quality, equity and relevance in a pluralistic society".[7]
History
Education in Sri Lanka has a history of over 2300 years. It is believed that the Sanskrit language was brought to the island from North India as a result of the establishment of the Buddhism in the reign of KingDevanampiya Tissa from the Buddhist monks sent by Emperor Asoka of India. Since then an education system evolved based around the Buddhist temples and pirivenas (monastic colleges), the latter primarily intended for clergy (even to this day) and higher education. Evidence of this system is found on the Mahawamsa and Dipavamsa, the Chronicle of Lanka that deals with the history of the island from the arrival of PrinceVijaya and his followers in the 6th century BC.[8]
With the outset of the colonial expansion on the island, first in the coastal provinces and then interior, Christian missionary societies become active in education. The monopoly of Christian missionaries in education ended following the Colebrooke Commission set up by the British administration.
Primary and secondary schools
A standard system of schools were begun by the British based on the recommendations of the Colebrooke Commission in 1836. This is regarded as the beginning of the government's schooling system in the island. It started with the establishment of the Royal College in Colombo (formerly the Colombo Academy) and lead to the formation of several single sex schools constructed during the colonial period, by the British.[9] Some of these schools were affiliated to the Anglican Church. These included S.Thomas' CollegeMount Lavinia, Trinity CollegeKandy, and Bishop's CollegeColombo. The education in vernacular schools was largely free due to government grants to cover the cost of teaching and local philanthropists providing the buildings, equipment and the books.[10] Colebrooke decreed that all government schools be discontinued. The order did not apply to denominational Missionary schools and they continued to function unceasingly.
Royal College Main building
In 1938 the education system in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) was made formally free following the granting of universal franchise in 1931. The Minister of Education, late Hon. Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara, and the Executive Committee of Education which included members such as H. W. Amarasuriya took the initiative in establishing free education. Under this initiative the government established Madhya Maha Vidyalayas (MMV, Central Colleges) that were scattered around the island to provide education to all. The medium was either Sinhala or Tamil.
In 1942 a special committee was appointed to observe the education system and, among the suggestions that followed, the following play an important role:
i. Make available to all children a good education free of charge, so that education ceases to be a commodity purchasable only by the urban affluent.
ii. Make national languages the media of instruction in place of English so that opportunities for higher education, lucrative employment open only to small number of the urban affluent, would become available to others as well.
iii. Rationalize the school system so that educational provision is adequate, efficient and economical.
iv. Ensure that every child is provided with instruction in the religion of his/her parents.
v. Protect teachers from exploitation by managers of schools.
vi. Make adequate provision for adult education.
After independence, the number of schools and the literacy rate substantially increased. According to the Ministry of Statistics, today there are approximately 10,012 public schools serving close to 4,037,157 students, all around the island.
Several superficial changers to the school system took place in the post-independence era. These include the change of the primary medium of education to the national languages, nationalization of private schools and the introduction of national/provisional school system.[citation needed]
There are 749 Muslim schools in Sri Lanka, 205 madrasas which teach Islamic education, and an Islamic university in Beruwala (Jamiya Naleemiya). Zahira College, Colombo is considered to be one of the oldest and the most prominent Muslim school in the country initiated by M. C. Siddi Lebbe, while Al Iman Schools in Colombo was the first Islamic to teach an integrated Islamic curriculum since 2008.[14]
University
Higher education in Sri Lanka has been based on the many prominent pirivenas during the pre colonial times. The origins of the modern colonial university system in Sri Lanka dates back to 1921 when a University College, the Ceylon University College was established at the former premises of Royal College Colombo affiliated to the University of London. However, the beginning of modern higher education in colonial government of Ceylon was in 1870 when the Ceylon Medical School[15] was established followed by Colombo Law College (1875),[16] School of Agriculture (1884) and the Government Technical College (1893).
Sri Jayewardenepura University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Building
The University of Ceylon was established on 1 July 1942 by the Ceylon University Ordinance No. 20 of 1942 which was to be unitary, residential and autonomous. The university was in Colombo. Several years later a second campus was built in Peradeniya. The University of Ceylon became the University of Sri Lanka follow in the University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972 resulting in a more centralized administration and more direct government control. This gave way for creation of separate universities after the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. Even though new universities of independent identities were created, the government maintained its direct control and centralized administration though the University Grants Commission. Late Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali as Minister of Education developed an initiative to develop the higher education of the country in the 1980s, the Mahapola Fund, established by him provided scholarship and much-needed founding to higher education institution to this day. Until amendments to the University Act were made in 1999 only state universities were allowed to grant undergraduate degrees; this has since changed.
Sri Lanka's education structure is divided into five parts: primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, collegiate, and tertiary. Primary education lasts five years (Grade 1 to Grade 5) and at the end of this period, the students may elect to write a national exam called the Scholarship exam. This exam allows students with exceptional skills to move on to better schools. After primary education, the junior secondary level (referred to as middle school in some schools) lasts for 4 years (Grades 6-9) followed by 2 years (Grades 10-11) of the senior secondary level which is the preparation for the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E) Ordinary Level (O/Ls).
According to the Sri Lankan law, it is compulsory that all children go to school till grade 9 (age 14) at which point they can choose to continue their education or drop out and engage in apprenticeship for a job or farming. However, the Ministry of Education strongly advises all students to continue with their studies at least till the G.C.E Ordinary Level.
Students who are pursuing tertiary education must pass the G.C.E O/Ls in order to enter the collegiate level to study for another 2 years (grades 12-13) to sit for the G.C.E Advanced Level. On successful completion of this exam, students can move on to tertiary education, therefore the GCE A/Ls is the university entrance exam in Sri Lanka.[17]
NB: In some cases, students may be slightly younger.
Government schools
Most of the schools in Sri Lanka are maintained by the government as a part of the free education. Currently (as of 2021) there are 10,155 government schools (373 national schools and 9,782 provincial schools)[18] with a student population of 4.2 million and 235,924 teachers, 736 Pirivenas and also 104 private schools with 127,968 students. With the establishment if the provincial council system in the 1980s the central government handed control of most schools to local governments. However the old schools which had been around since the colonial times were retained by the central government, this creating three types of government schools;
National Schools
Provincial Schools
Pirivenas-Schools for Buddhist priests
National schools
Main Building of St. Michael's College National School. It is an example for national schools in Sri LankaIconic Buddhist Vihara at Ananda college. One of the leading national schools in Colombo
National schools come under the direct control of the Ministry of Education and therefore have direct funding from the ministry. Most of these schools were established during the colonial period and therefore are established institutions. These few are referred to as famous schools or elite schools since they have a rich history and better maintained facilities than the average public school. This is mainly due to the support of their alumni. In recent years newer schools and several central colleges have been upgraded to national schools from time to time, thereby making the total number of national schools 373 (as of 2021).[17][18]
Provincial schools
Provincial Schools consists of the vast majority of schools in Sri Lanka, which number 9,782 (as of 2021).[18] Funded and controlled by the local governments many suffer from poor facilities and a shortage of teachers.
Piriven
Piriven are monastic colleges (similar to a seminary) for the education of Buddhistpriests. These have been the centers of secondary and higher education in ancient times for lay people as well. Today 561 Piriven are funded and maintained by the Ministry of Education under the Pirivena Education Act, No, 64 of 1979. Young priests undergo training at these pirivenas prior to being their Ordination and study for GCE O/L and A/L examinations. They may gain entrance to State Universities for higher religious studies.
Non-government schools
Private schools
C.M.S Ladies College one of Sri Lanka's private girls' school as seen from its grounds
There has been a considerable increase in the number of private schools in Sri Lanka, due to the emergence of the upper-middle class during the colonial era. These private schools follow the local curriculum set up by the Ministry of Education in the local language mediums of Sinhala, Tamil or English. Many of the private schools have access to newer facilities than state run schools. Currently there are 66 Private schools (registered before 1960 and not since then) of these, 33 non-fee-levying Assisted Private Schools (also known as semi-government schools) and 33 fee levying autonomous Private Schools, in addition to the Government Schools.[17]
International schools
International schools in Sri Lanka are not restricted to the expatriate community, anyone with the ability and willingness to pay can join these schools. Starting in the late 1980s these schools have no regulation or control by the Ministry of Education as it comes under the Board of Investment (BOI),[17] due to this the standard of education varies greatly between schools. The schools are mainly for the children of the expatriate community, charge high tuition fees and can therefore provide good facilities and high standards.
The majority of International schools prepares students for the EdexcelGeneral Certificate of Education (IGCSE) Ordinary, Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced (A2) Level examinations, which is the most popular qualification. Preparation for Cambridge International Examinations is also offered by a few schools but it is less popular. Both exams are offered under the supervision of the British Council, whereas some schools offer a direct partnership with the examination body in order to improve standards.
Madrasas
As of 2013, there are 205 madrasas registered under the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs providing Islamic education in Sri Lanka.[19] These have been built and maintained by independent Islamic foundations such as All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Thareeqathul Aroosiyyathil Qaadhiriyyah Association in Sri Lanka which propagate Sunnah wal Jamaah.[20] This is in addition to the 749 Muslim Schools in Sri Lanka.
Semi Government Schools
There are quite a few semi-government schools in Sri Lanka that are run as a government-private collaboration, where the government provides the textbooks, uniforms, and other facilities such as the ability to sit for national exams and the government-paid teachers.
Due to the high competitive nature of exams such as year 5, GCE O/L and GCE A/L as well as London O/Ls and A/Ls; parents seek additional help at home and at group/mass classes to improve their children's grades and performance. In recent years this has become a lucrative enterprise, which has resulted in successive governments attempting to regulate it. Many scholars have also accused tuition classes of robbing the childhood and having a negative impact on the child's health.
These Private Educational Institutes or Tuition Centers are concentrated in Major cities of Sri Lanka: Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Negombo, Kurunegala, Kandy, Galle, Matara, Tangalle, Kegalle, Badulla and Ratnapura.[21]
Undergraduate education in state universities is free but extremely competitive, limited and standardized. Fewer than 16% (less than 16,000 students) of those who qualify get admission to state universities[22] and of that only half graduate.[23] Admission to the university system is based on the highly competitive GCE Advanced Level examination. Selection of students is done on the basis of rank order on average Z Scores obtained by candidates at the GCE Advanced Level under a transparent national policy to replicate a district basis representation. Only the top students from each district get admissions.
The top students from urban and rural districts get the chances of having tertiary education. However, top students who got qualified under the minimum Z Scores requirements for admissions from remote districts may get in with relatively lower marks than those from urban districts. As a result, many students who are not granted admission find other means of higher education. Around 8% those qualified but could not get admission for higher education go abroad to pursue their studies,[24] others enroll themselves at the Open University of Sri Lanka
Some study for entrance/membership for professional bodies both foreign (such as CIMA, BCS, ACCA, etc.) and local (such as ICASL, SLIM) or do studies at vocational technical colleges that specialize in mechanical and electronic subjects. Government has schemes to provides financial aid in addition to free education to financially support to those qualified to get admission to state universities.[25]
Still, there are unemployed graduates in Sri Lanka, except in the fields of medicine, information technology, commerce, law and engineering disciplines. Many claim that if state university graduates are unemployed or causes brain drain that is because of limited exposure in the country for the degrees they have.
Many intellectuals express the need for private universities in the country, where students who chose not to attend or do not gain admission to state universities could study in their home country at a lower cost. The North Colombo Medical College (NCMC) was one such institute. But efforts to establish private universities have been blocked due to protests conducted by many parties claiming that it would create more competition for state university students. In recent years this has become a reason for students who do not attend state universities to prefer going abroad or study at other institutes and professional bodies.
There are three types of Degree Awarding Private Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka[27]
General degree: 3 years of coursework without a major.
Honours/Special degree: 4 years of coursework and research with a major/specialization in a field.
Master's degree: undertaken after the completion of one or more bachelor's degrees. Master's degrees deal with a subject at a more advanced level than bachelor's degrees and can consist either of research, coursework, or a mixture of the two.
Doctorate: most famously Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which are undertaken after an honours bachelor's or master's degree, by an original research project resulting in a thesis or dissertation.
Vocational education and training in Sri Lanka is managed by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of the Ministry of Vocational & Technical Training. Training includes course based curriculum at vocational technical training centres and apprenticeship at private or public organisations. Higher education in vocational fields could be archived though several universities. The National Vocational Qualifications Systems in Sri Lanka (NVQSL) provides a structured seven levels of qualifications from Level 1 to Level 7. Vocational education and training is carried out for degree level at the Open University, Sri Lanka and the University of Vocational Technology, as well as at diploma level at 37 technical colleges, Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education and the Sri Lanka School of Agriculture.
Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission monitors the registration of private course providers in the development of the sector. A number of private course providers have propped up in this qualification segment. Hospitality courses, basic accounting and management courses has been offered.
Criticisms
Critics of the education system, including academics and parents, state that the education system is too competitive and rigid unlike education systems in other societies.[28]
Efforts to establish private universities have been blocked, resulting in only state universities awarding local degrees.[citation needed] Opponents of private universities claim that private universities as privatization of education and damaging the standard of the education. However the demand for higher education has created several private institutions that conduct courses for degrees in foreign universities, these are not regulated or evaluated for proper standards by the government or independent organizations.[citation needed]
In 2011, the government made it mandatory for all students selected for undergraduate courses in state universities to undergo Compulsory leadership training for undergraduates at military and police bases. The government sited the need for residential three-week training to increase employability thus reducing the high graduate unemployment in state universities. This move has drawn criticisms from the opposition, student groups and human rights groups as the nature of compulsory military type training seen in conscription.[29][30][31] However, shortly after the 2015 presidential election, the president at the time, Maithripala Sirisena along with the Sri Lankan Parliament put an end to this training in 2015.[32]
Notes
^In 2013 South Asia's literacy rate was 67.55, Asia 84.32% and the world 85.20%.[2]
1999 American biographical sports drama film by Norman Jewison The HurricaneTheatrical release posterDirected byNorman JewisonScreenplay byArmyan BernsteinDan GordonBased onLazarus and the Hurricane1991 novelby Sam ChaitonTerry SwintonThe Sixteenth Round1974 novelby Rubin CarterProduced byNorman JewisonArmyan BernsteinJohn KetchamStarring Denzel Washington John Hannah Deborah Kara Unger Liev Schreiber Vicellous Reon Shannon David Paymer Dan Hedaya Harris Yulin Rod Steiger CinematographyRoger Dea…
جزء من سلسلة مقالات سياسة الكويتالكويت الدستور الدستور المجلس التأسيسي حقوق الإنسان الإمارة الأسرة الحاكمة الأمير نواف الأحمد الجابر الصباح ولي العهد مشعل الأحمد الجابر الصباح الحكومة الحكومة رئيس الوزراء أحمد النواف الأحمد الصباح السلطة التشريعية مجلس الأمة رئيس المجل
Pour les articles homonymes, voir Goodenough. John B. GoodenoughBiographieNaissance 25 juillet 1922IénaDécès 25 juin 2023 (à 100 ans)AustinSépulture Austin Memorial Park Cemetery (d)Nom dans la langue maternelle John Bannister GoodenoughNationalité américaineFormation Université Yale (baccalauréat universitaire ès sciences)Université de Chicago (doctorat)Activités Physicien, inventeur, météorologuePère Erwin Ramsdell GoodenoughFratrie Ward GoodenoughAutres informationsA trava…
Nelson IslandGeographyLocationStrait of GeorgiaCoordinates49°42′00″N 124°08′00″W / 49.70000°N 124.13333°W / 49.70000; -124.13333ArchipelagoNorthern Gulf IslandsArea102.8 km2 (39.7 sq mi)AdministrationCanadaProvinceBritish Columbia Nelson Island is an island in the Sunshine Coast region of the South Coast region of British Columbia. It is surrounded by Hotham Sound, Agamemnon Channel, and Malaspina Strait. The closest communities are Pender Harbo…
Скотарство інків — галузь економіки в імперії Тауантінсую, продукти якої використовувалися як в цивільному життя, так й для забезпечення військової справи. У розведенні тварин інки перевершили всі інші культури середньовічної, доколоніальної Америки. Зміст 1 Свійські…
Flittarder Rheinaue mit Hochwasserdamm Die etwa vier Kilometer lange Flittarder Rheinaue ist eine Flussaue im Kölner Stadtteil Flittard und liegt an der nördlichen Stadtgrenze Kölns in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft zu den Fordwerken, den Bayer-Werken in Leverkusen und der großen Kläranlage Köln-Stammheim. Wegen der zahlreichen typischen und natürlichen Auenelemente und des ungehinderten Hochwassereinflusses wurde ein etwa 180 Hektar großer Gleithangbereich des Rheins als schutzwürdig eing…
New Zealand psychology / sociology academic This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (April 2019) Katrina RoenAlma materUniversity of CanterburyScientific careerFieldsPsychology / sociologyInstitutionsUniversity of WaikatoThesis Constructing transsexuality: Discursive manoeuvres through psycho-medical, transgender, and queer texts (1998) Katrina Roen is a New Zealand ps…
Здание «Проминвестбанка» на проспекте Свободы, 17 Банковское дело возникло во Львове в период Средневековья и активно развивалось после вхождения Галичины в состав Габсбургской империи. Изначально займы под залог имущества предоставляли богатые мещане, позже возникли п…
There are a number of different interpretations for easternmost and westernmost; see below for full treatment. This is a list of points in the United States that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location in the country. Also included are extreme points in elevation, extreme distances and other points of peculiar geographic interest. Extreme points in the 50 states: Point Barrow, Ka Lae, Sail Rock, Peaked Island Extreme points in the contiguous 48 states: Northwest Angle, Bal…
Marquesado de Grañina Corona marquesalPrimer titular García José Dávila Ponce de León, I Señor de GrañinaConcesión Felipe V7 de agosto de 1711, como señorío de Grañina, por Felipe VLinaje Casa de DávilaActual titular Borja Fernández de Córdoba y Delgado[editar datos en Wikidata] El marquesado de Grañina es un título nobiliario español creado por el rey Felipe V el 7 de agosto 1711 a favor de Jerónimo Miguel Dávila y Ursúa, hijo de García José Dávila Ponce de Leó…
Scream QueensLogo phimThể loại Hài kinh dị[1] Hài kịch đen Châm biếm Sáng lập Ryan Murphy Brad Falchuk Ian Brennan Diễn viên Emma Roberts Skyler Samuels Lea Michele Glen Powell Diego Boneta Abigail Breslin Keke Palmer Oliver Hudson Nasim Pedrad Lucien Laviscount Billie Lourd Jamie Lee Curtis Kirstie Alley Taylor Lautner James Earl John Stamos Nhạc phim Mac Quayle Heather Heywood Alexis Martin Woodall Nhạc dạoYou Belong to Me by Heather HeywoodSoạn nhạcMac Qu…
Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Daerah Kabupaten Boalemo (KKPD Kabupaten Boalemo) adalah salah satu kawasan konservasi perairan daerah yang ada di Gorontalo, Indonesia. Dalam pembagian administratif Indonesia, wilayah KKPD Kabupaten Boalemo berada di dalam wilayah administratif Kabupaten Boalemo. Dasar hukum penetapannya adalah Surat Keputusan Bupati Boalemo Nomor 188.45/SK.0283/DKP/2013.[1] Nama lain dari KKPD Kabupaten Boalemo adalah Kawasan Konservasi Laut Daerah Pulau Monduli. Wilayah KK…
Esta foi a lista de jogos de futebol disputados pelo Clube de Regatas do Flamengo na temporada de 2019. Campanha Essa é a campanha na temporada 2019: vde Mandante Visitante Clássicos[nota 1] Total Jogos 32 29 15 76 Vitórias 28 13 9 50 Empates 3 9 5 17 Derrotas 1 7 1 9 Gols marcados 86 39 28 153 Gols sofridos 21 30 15 66 Saldo de gols +65 +9 +13 +87 Aproveitamento (%) 90,6% 55,2% 71,1% 73,2% Última atualização em 21 de dezembro de 2019. Legenda: Vitória — &…
Strait in Indonesia Sape StraitSelat Sape (Indonesian)Northeast passage to the Sape Strait at northern tip of Komodo Island.Sape StraitSumbawa island and Sape StraitCoordinates8°39′00″S 119°18′00″E / 8.65000°S 119.30000°E / -8.65000; 119.30000TypestraitBasin countriesIndonesiaReferencesSelat Sape: Indonesia National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, MD, USA The Sape Strait (Indonesian: Selat Sape) or Sapie Strait[1] is a strait connec…
Defunct shopping mall in Singapore The VergeThe VergeFormer location in SingaporeFormer namesTekka MallGeneral informationStatusDemolishedLocationLittle India, SingaporeAddress2 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218227CountrySingaporeCoordinates1°18′18.4″N 103°51′05.0″E / 1.305111°N 103.851389°E / 1.305111; 103.851389Opened2003; 20 years ago (2003)ClosedJuly 2017; 6 years ago (2017-07)DemolishedSeptember 2017; 6…
Southeast Asian ethnic group native to Cambodia This article is about the ethnic group known as the Khmer people and their descendants worldwide. For the language, see Khmer language. For other uses, see Khmer (disambiguation). Khmer peopleជនជាតិខ្មែរKhmer women wearing traditional dance attires in front of Angkor Wat, CambodiaTotal populationc. 18–19 million[1]Regions with significant populations Cambodia16,000,000[2] Vietnam1,320,000[3]…